Pope Leo XIV concluded a four-day visit to France on September 28, 2026, combining large-scale public appearances with high-level diplomatic speeches. Speaking in Metz and Paris, the pontiff championed European integration, warned against the illusion of military rearmament, and urged international negotiation over military conflict.
Statesman Diplomacy in the Birthplace of the European Union
Wrapping up his itinerary in Metz, the intellectual birthplace of the European Union, Pope Leo leaned into his role as a global statesman and the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. In consecutive speeches given at a conference center named for Robert Schuman—the former French foreign minister, a founding father of the E.U., and a current candidate for Catholic sainthood—the pope adopted a nuanced approach to contentious topics like migration, leaving his meaning open to the listener’s interpretation. Standing near the historically contested border with Germany, where Schuman championed continental integration as a binder of lasting peace, the U.S.-born pontiff praised the bloc for tearing down walls that were dividing it.
The 71-year-old leader spoke more decisively regarding multilateralism, the significance of international law, religious freedom, and his profound aversion to using God’s name to justify war. The trip showcased a distinct evolution in the pontiff’s public presence. Claude Dargent, a Paris-based expert on religion and politics, observed: We're now dealing with a pope I'd describe more as a diplomat.
Some also view Leo as the figure the electing cardinals likely desired: a Chicago-born, plain-speaking balance to an era of unchecked American power. In April, when President Donald Trump openly criticized the pope as WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,
Leo appeared unbowed, saying he had “no fear.” However, he has since attempted to soften the rhetoric and avoided fueling a conflict with the White House, choosing instead to question the idea of might is right.
Weighing Rearmament and Diplomatic Resolution in Europe
Without explicitly naming Ukraine, the pope addressed the reality of renewed war across Europe. While President Donald Trump has pushed NATO allies to increase their military expenditures, Leo noted during a news conference on his flight back to Rome that the search for peace in Europe, as throughout the world, must not be confused with a naive form of pacifism.
At the same time, the pontiff cautioned against the illusion that rearmament is the answer,
calling instead for courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace.
Invited to clarify his answer during the news conference on his flight back to Rome, he did not offer specifics.
Crowds in Paris and a Historic Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen
The diplomatic messaging unfolded against a backdrop of massive public enthusiasm throughout France. During visits to Spain and Africa in June and April, Leo—who initially seemed uncomfortable with his fame—proved to be a confident, emotive spiritual leader capable of inspiring large crowds. In Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, the pontiff drew large crowds, including an outdoor Mass in Paris on Saturday that attracted 800,000 faithful — marking the largest crowd in the capital since France’s World Cup victory in 2018. The night before that gathering, the 71-year-old leader managed to easily pack a stadium with 80,000 roaring young people.
The whirlwind four-day pastoral visit culminated in Metz with a solemn service at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, where thousands lined the streets waving as Pope Leo passed by in his popemobile, which occasionally stopped to bless babies. Outside the gothic cathedral, crowds cheered loudly as the bells tolled, announcing the pope’s arrival. Francois Grosdidier, the mayor of Metz, welcomed Pope Leo and gave him several presents, including a wooden tennis racket, mentioning that the pontiff is a passionate tennis player. Entering the cathedral, the pope also signed the guestbook, in which he wrote: May the peace of God reign always in the city of Metz and in the hearts of all people.
Despite the strict separation of church and state in France, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were present at the Mass. (In 2023, Macron attended a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille, facing criticism at home for breaking political precedent.) While celebrating Mass, the pope spoke about the historic Moselle region, stating in his homily on September 28: Those of you, who are the children of this land torn apart in the past by fratricidal conflicts, know full well that it is not true that those who seek revenge are stronger than those who forgive.
He added: It is not true that those who refuse to yield are stronger than those who seek reconciliation. It is not true that those who walk away are stronger than those who face the challenge of walking together.
According to a statement by the Vatican press office, local authorities estimated that 35,000 people attended the Mass in the cathedral and in the surrounding streets and areas.